You don’t have to run - you can walk, ride a bike, or simply sponsor someone else who wants to take part.

Nothing is as usual this year when the annual NAB Darrel Chapman Fun Run and Our Kids fundraiser goes virtual from August 24-30.

Our Kids fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista said after much discussion, rather than postponing this year’s event due to COVID-19 restrictions, the local charity is taking the Fun Run online. 

“It’s a nice way everyone in the community can still go out and walk or run in groups safely, maintaining distance,” she said.

“You can pick the distance you want to travel, and take all week to do it. You can walk or run alone or with your dog, your friends or family - and it’s all within NSW health restriction guidelines.”

In fact, you can do it anywhere.

Our Kids’ chair Suzette Pearce is keen to travel along the coast from Ballina to Lennox Head with the ocean as her view when she takes on the challenge by walking 10km.

If you are a cyclist, you can even do your usual distance and do it to fundraise for Our Kids.

Participants can nominate their own distance or choose from the Our Kids 4km, Lords Taverners 10km, Lismore Masters 21km and the 42km Southern Cross University Marathon. 

So how do you prove you did the run?

Rebekka said you download the strava app, or use another health app, or your fit bit to record the distance you travel - then register it with Our Kids.

“This year rather than award first, second and third places in the run, the highest fundraiser will be recognised,” she said.

“There will be no cost to participate and we encourage people to ask friends to sponsor them for $1 or $1 a kilometre - or sponsor them and amount to raise money for Our Kids.”

The money will go towards buying a humidicrib for the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery in Lismore Base Hospital.

“Please register if you are taking part so we know how many people are in it,” Rebekka said.

“You can upload your pictures or videos to the Darrell Chapman Fun Run Facebook group and when you register you get your own fundraising page.”

Schools are also encouraged to participate in the fun run as part of PE classes.

There’s even a group fundraising challenge with the NAB Corporate Challenge and the NAB Community Challenge, showing leaderboards for work and friend groups. You could even win an Limited Edition Darrel Chapman Fun Run shirt. 

Who was Darrel Chapman?

Darrel Chapman was a Southern Cross University academic and sporting legend who lost his own personal battle with cancer in October 1992. Schooled at St. John's College, Woodlawn, he played Rugby League for Australia and captained South Sydney, before becoming NSW Assistant Director of Sport.

He also established the Human Movement Science and Sport Management program at Southern Cross University. His legacy lives on through this event. 

Barbara Chapman, Darrell’s wife, said the fun run was a competition that everyone could enter and it was about having fun while doing exercise.

“Darrell always advocated that – you don’t have to be an elite athlete and he wanted everyone to participate,” she said.

Registrations are now open at https://darrelchapman.com/

For any questions regarding the event, call the Our Kids Office on 6620 2705.